Fundamentals 7

It is the minimal pressure exerted against the arterial walls at all times

• Blood pressure

• Systolic pressure

• Diastolic pressure

• Pulse pressure

Answer explanation

When the ventricles relax, the blood remaining in the arteries exerts a minimum pressure

A patient suddenly claimed to experience dizziness as he immediately got up from the bed. What could be a reason?

• Hypertension

• Hypotension

• Orthostatic hypotension

• Anemia

Answer explanation

– occurs when a normotensive person develops symptoms and a drop in systolic pressure by at least 20 mm Hg or a drop in diastolic pressure by at least 20 mm Hg within 3 minutes of rising to an upright position.

You have noticed a student nurse is to measure a patient’s BP with loose-fitting cuff. What will you do?

• Check if the student documented the reading.

• Let the student check his blood pressure

• Call the attention of the student and instruct to tighten the cuff on the patient’s arm.

• Call the attention of the student and instruct to place the cuff snugly on the patient’s arm.

Answer explanation

Loose-fitting cuff causes false-high readings.

A client claims to have hypertension as he had his BP taken once at 150/100. How will you deal with the patient?

• Confirm that the patient is hypertensive.

• Instruct the patient to observe natural ways such as taking in garlic.

• Instruct the patient to have his BP checked regularly & return within 2 months.

• Instruct the patient to come back tomorrow to have his BP checked.

Answer explanation

One elevated BP measurement does not qualify as a diagnosis of hypertension; if a high reading during the first BP measurement is obtained, the patient is encouraged to return for another check-up within 2 months.

You are instructed to measure the BP of a 6 y/o patient and you only have an adult cuff. What will you do?

• Use the adult cuff as it is needed in patient care.

• Inform the physician & document the reason.

• Let the patient’s guardian buy a pediatric cuff as it is for their patient.

• None of the above.

Answer explanation

–Properly inform the physician of the situation then document; using the adult cuff may give you inaccurate reading.

It is the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure:

• A. Blood pressure

• B. Systolic pressure

• C. Diastolic pressure

• D. Pulse pressure

Answer explanation

Answer: D – is the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure.

Which among the following statements is not true about Cardiac Output:

• A. The BP depends on the cardiac output.

• B. Cardiac output increases as a result of an increase in HR, greater heart muscle contractility, or an increase in blood volume.

• C. When volume decreases in an enclosed space such as a blood vessel, the pressure in that space rises.

• D. As cardiac output increases, more blood is pumped against arterial walls, causing the BP to rise.

Answer explanation

Answer: C – When volume INCREASES in an enclosed space such as a blood vessel, the pressure in that space rises.

According to James et al. (2014), which of the following is defined as hypertension

• A. 120/80 mmHg

• B. 135/85 mmHg

• C. 145/95 mmHg

• D. 130/75 mmHg

Answer explanation

Answer: C – Diastolic readings greater than 90 mm Hg and systolic readings greater than 140 mm Hg define hypertension (James et al., 2014).

It occurs when a normotensive person develops symptoms and a drop in systolic pressure by at least 20 mmHg:

• A. Hypertension

• B. Hypotension

• C. Orthostatic hypertension

• D. Postural hypotension

Answer explanation

Answer: C – occurs when a normotensive person develops symptoms and a drop in systolic pressure by at least 20 mm Hg or a drop in diastolic pressure by at least 20 mm Hg within 3 minutes of rising to an upright position (Shibao et al., 2013).

When can a patient be diagnosed as hypertensive?

• A first time reading of 130/80 mmHg

• A patient who has familial history of hypertension

• A mother who is angry and shouts

• A client with 3 or more consecutive readings of 140/90 mmHg